Confirmed: Disneyland Forward Expansion Moves Into Gear

Disneyland fans have spent months (if not years) speculating, mapping, and theorising, and now, we finally have answers.

Disney has just released a detailed update on the DisneylandForward project via the Disney Parks Blog, giving us our clearest look yet at what’s coming to the resort.

While the Coco and Avatar attractions were announced back at D23 in August 2024, today’s news finally confirms their exact locations inside Disney California Adventure, unveils brand-new concept art, sets out projected timelines and even ride closures.

For many fans, it’s the long-awaited signal that things are no longer just imagined – they’re moving Forward!

The Eastern Gateway: A New Chapter in How We Enter Disneyland

One of the most striking pieces of the update is the long-rumoured Eastern Gateway, a transformational project that will reshape how guests arrive at the Disneyland Resort.

Located on the east side of the property, this new arrival experience will include a 6,000-space parking structure, a transportation hub for shuttles and drop-offs, and a pedestrian bridge that takes guests directly across Harbor Boulevard into the esplanade.

But it’s what’s not in the concept art that has fans talking – the traditional ticket booths are gone, replaced by a wide, open plaza space. This change lines up with the resort’s recent rollout of facial recognition entry technology at the parks turnstiles, offering a more seamless and tech-savvy welcome for guests.

And if that wasn’t enough to stir some nostalgia, the new entrance will feature a retro-inspired “Disneyland Resort” marquee, harkening back to the resort’s mid-century roots while introducing a future-focused guest experience.

The new concept art features a pedestrian bridge over Harbor Boulevard, leading to an all-new esplanade arrival experience.

 Coco Comes to Life in Paradise Gardens Park

Although the Coco attraction was confirmed last year, fans have been waiting for word on where it would go, and now we know.

The new Coco-themed dark ride will be built in the Paradise Gardens Park area of Disney California Adventure, expanding into what is currently backstage space. There’s some concerns on the scale of the project, given the relatively small parcel of land, but space is limited at the resort, so it seems as though Disney are utilising existing plots, whilst remaining inside Disney property.

Inspired by classics like Pirates of the Caribbean and Haunted Mansion, the attraction will follow Miguel into the Land of the Dead, combining rich storytelling, beloved music, and advanced animatronic technology.

With the location now official and site prep reportedly starting soon, it feels more real than ever, and I say, I’m ‘un poco loco‘ about a Coco ride arriving at DCA!

The new concept art for the Coco attraction at DCA showing ‘Incredicoaster’, signalling a new attraction for Pixar Pier.
Expect groundbreaking Audio-Animatronics and music, taking inspiration from Disneyland’s most-loved classic attractions.

Avatar to Replace Monsters, Inc. in Hollywood Land

Meanwhile, in a move that’s been heavily rumoured and is now finally confirmed, the upcoming Avatar experience will take over part of Hollywood Land, specifically replacing Monsters, Inc. Mike & Sulley to the Rescue! This closure has now been officially acknowledged, with the ride set to shut its doors in early 2026 to make way for Pandora.

While Disney hasn’t released full ride details yet, the concept art shows a lush, bioluminescent environment that suggests an immersive water-based attraction through the stunning landscapes of Avatar.

It’s expected to serve as a more compact yet spectacular complement to the Avatar experiences at Walt Disney World and a major reinvention of a long-underutilised corner of DCA.

The new concept art for the Avatar-themed area, now confirmed for north-eastern corner of DCA, replacing the back lot area of Hollywood Land.
The original concept art, released at D23 in August 2024 had fans speculating whereabouts the project would be sited.

DisneylandForward — From Concept to Construction

This latest announcement marks a shift for the DisneylandForward initiative from possibilities to actual plans.
The blog update doesn’t just tease what could happen. It provides concrete datesspecific areas of constructionattraction closures, and visual details that show real momentum behind the expansion.

For years, DisneylandForward has been about unlocking potential within the existing footprint of the resort. With these changes, that vision is clearly taking form and doing so in a way that respects the past while carving out room for new, globally beloved stories.

This is a pivotal moment for Disneyland Resort. For once, it’s not just dreams and development permits, the magic is really happening.

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